Another season of Pawn Stars is upon us, and the History Channel seems to think dusting off some ’80s nostalgia is the way to kick things off. Fine by me. I’m a sucker for a good power ballad, and let’s be frank, who isn’t curious to see what kind of stuff Taylor Dayne has been lugging around since “Tell It to My Heart” topped the charts? Season 23 premieres with an hour-long special, “Pawn it to My Heart” (get it?), featuring the singer herself hauling tour memorabilia into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Rick, ever the shrewd negotiator, eyes a potential score, but will Dayne bite?
Beyond the ’80s throwback, the episode offers its usual assortment of oddities. Chumlee, never one to shy away from the bizarre, finds himself facing a Darth Vader nutcracker. Yes, you read that right. The Dark Lord of the Sith reimagined as a festive nut-smashing device. One can only imagine the pitch. Meanwhile, Corey has the slightly less surreal task of appraising an award once bestowed upon country music royalty, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. While perhaps not as inherently strange as a Sith nutcracker, it still presents its own set of questions. Is it authentic? How much is a piece of country music history worth in the pawn shop ecosystem?
This season opener aims to offer something for everyone, from pop music aficionados to Star Wars nerds and country music devotees. Will Rick make a deal with Dayne? Will Chumlee’s fascination with the Vader nutcracker lead to a purchase? And just how will Corey handle the weight of a Parton-Wagoner artifact? Tune in Wednesday, January 22 at 9 PM on History to find out.